The House of Chairs – Flo Langley

Buttons challenge – Wooden Plate and Broach

This week’s Our of a Hat Challenge theme is buttons. We are asking you to make something, anything of your choice, that includes buttons. Bought buttons, hand made buttons, vintage buttons …. your choice. As always, there is lots of scope with the hatters challenges. So, whatever style of crafting you do, whether it be card making, sewing, mixed media, scrapbooking, or journaling, (phew! the list is endless) feel free to share your project and *join in the fun. We love to see everyone’s interpretation of the theme. (*see end of post)

For full details of the challenge, Chrissie’s, Janet’s and Sandra’s fabulous projects and all the entries (yes we do have some and they are pretty amazing) click on the link above.

As I am typing up this post, I have got Shakin Stevens singing in my head. So, to set the mood and as I believe in sharing, I would like you to have him toooo! Especially you Marie. Are you ready? “Snow is falling…… all around me, Children playing ……having fun. Its the season…… of love and understanding, Merry Christmas …everyone”. My gift to you! lol! I wonder how long you will have Shakey with you today!

I have made two projects this week. The first project is a christmas decoration. Might seem odd to you. I can understand that. Seems a bit odd to me bearing in mind there was a high of 31 degrees yesterday. Mind you, I have been known, in the past, to start planning and making stuff for Christmas around about now. Especially if we were expecting a house full. Are you still singing?

I used a wooden tapas plate to make my button. I drilled four holes, base coated it with gesso and then a couple of coats of white acrylic. I added a top coat of cheap crackle medium (not so good as the one step) but it’s fine. I then rubbed some brown acrylic over the top and wiped off the excess.

I cut quite a few hearts out of MDF a few weeks ago for projects for a friend. I had these two left over in my stash. I base coated them with gesso and added a couple of coats of acrylic. I stamped a flourish on the one, give it a coat of the nice crackle medium and rubbed in some brown acrylic paint. As before I just wiped the excess off. For the smaller heart I wanted a gingham pattern but this went wrong. I rubbed a lot of the paint off with a baby wipe and then gave a couple of brush stroke of watered down brown paint. I was quite pleased with it. Too grungy? I can’t make up my mind.

I used a cookie cutter as a template and cut the gingerbread man out of some scrap hard board. You know the board that comes at the back of water colour paper pads. He is just painted with acrylics and a few buttons added. I have put a couple slices of cork behind him, just to raise him up a little.

I added some cinnamon sticks, from the pantry, and tied them with some scrap fabric leaving the raw edges. The rosemary is from the garden and the music paper is taken from an old hymn book. Just to share, I have mentioned this before, poker chips make great buttons (see here).

For the second project, I have made a broach. I don’t usually make two projects but this idea was whizzing around in my head (far better than Shakey…. altogether now… Snow is falling..) while I was painting the plate.

I cut up an old wooden measuring stick/tape for the base of the broach. I really didn’t want to cut it up but I nicked it off Freddie to use in crafting so I had to be brave.

I wrapped some copper wire around the two pieces of the measure and added the buttons using hot glue. These could have been better placed but I am happy with it. I added part of an old necklace to the bottom of the broach by attaching it to the copper wire. I then attached a silver broach pin to the back. Just a little photo to show you what it looks like on a jacket. This reminds me of the 80’s. Eeee them were the days!

I dragged this metal dress form all around the garden with me yesterday. I just couldn’t find any shade to take a photo. I hope no one saw me. I bet someone did. There is always the odd shepherd about having a siesta under the olive trees. If asked, I will have to say it is an old english custom. This is a trick I have learnt from my mate Tanya –Chica Andaluza. It comes in handy in embarrassing situations.

Thank you to everyone who joined in the challenge last week. I hope you will join us again this week. It’s becoming a nice little crafting family. Great fun.

* just a note. Chrissie has received a few e.mails from people who do not know how to join in the challenge or link their projects. If anyone is having problems linking their projects or would like any more info please feel free to leave me a comment and I will contact you or go to The Out of a Hat Creations blog, leave a comment on there and Chrissie will contact you.

Oh my life are there perhaps 67 hours in your day Florence – such lovely projects and the broach was top one for me! Love the way you pinned it on the jacket with the belt – I remember that Shakin Stevens song! I can remember when David Bowie sang Jean Jeanie on TOTP and me and my friend were fainting – we loved him! cxx

Hi Cathryn. Great to hear from you. Hope all is well. My sister had a large poster of David Bowie on our bedroom wall when I was little. The eyes followed you everywhere! lol! Thank you for calling in and for your lovely comments. So pleased you were able to sort out the comments problem. Blogging is not the same without you.
Regards Florence xxx
p.s. I wish there was 67 hours in a day! Wouldn’t that be great. I was in such a panic this week. I didn’t start these until Monday night. I still work on a weekly basis for the challenge.

Love what you have made Florence, and you are a hero thinking about Xmas in June! Had to laugh at the thought of some Andalusian shepherd playing peeping Tom, and wondering what the crazy English woman was up to with the dress form! I would have have liked to have seen you, too! Have fun, Hugs, Valerie

Hi Valerie. Hope you are ok. You never see the shepherds but they see you!!!! I can be working in the garden, not see anyone all week, and then someone will say to me ” I hear you have been doing such and such”! I always think how on earth do you know that!!! Freddie can never do anything without me finding out about it! lol! Always great to hear from you. Thank you for calling in and for your lovely comments.
Regards Florence xx

Florence have you no shame !!!!! Shakin Stevens noooooooo !!!!! I’m still reeling from your previous gift to us shows your age too so there !!! And a Christmas song too it’s 36 degrees here today !!! Moving swiftly on ….. Wah !!!!!!!! I love your giant button it reminds me of something from Andy Pandy do you remember that ! I love the way you just casually mentioned about having some extra wooden hearts ! What a fabulous project and the hearts are amazing , loved the gingham gone wrong one especially . The broach super and as Cathryn says you have displayed it perfectly , poor Freddy his own stash must be on the wane ! Thanks for making me smile !

Hi Marie. Great to hear from you. Hope all is well. I have to ‘fess up. I was not a Shakey fan. The jumpers were always too scary! lol! I can’t believe how quick this year is passing we were all complaining a few weeks ago at how cold it was. Freddie is like me. He hoards stuff “just in case” so he doesn’t mind my pinching it! Thank you for popping in and for your lovely comments.
Regards Florence xx

Old English custom indeed! You will be getting us a bad name – very funny though and I now have a ridiculous picture in my head that won’t go away. Both pieces for the challenge are lovely but I adore the brooch, so clever and unique.
Ann B
xx

Hi Ann. Great to hear from you. Hope you and Mr. B. are ok. I blame Tanya entirely!! 🙂 Y’ know that ridiculous picture in your head…..that is what I looked like! lol! Hope it leaves you soon! 🙂 Thank you for calling in and for your lovely comments.
Regards Florence xx

Hi Alison. Hope you are ok. I bet I did! lol! There were also a couple of guys working in the next field….. oh the shame! lol! Thank you for popping in and for your lovely comments. Always great to hear from you.
Regards Florence xx

Hi Anne. Hope all is well. I hadn’t notice the big smiley face until you said 🙂 Always great to hear from you. Thank you for calling in and for your lovely comments. Have a wonderful weekend.
Regards Florence xx

Where do I start?!!! Such brilliant use of the tapas plate to create the outsize button and that display will be such an attraction when visitors arrive over Christmas.
You were brave to cut into the ruler (I bow down to you!) and that brooch is amazing. So here’s the deal, I need that jacket (with brooch attached) and also that dressform – not too tall an order is it lol.
Great post Florence.
Wishes
Lynne

Hi Sweetie. Hope you are ok. Isn’t it funny how hard it is to cut up something or into something. Whether it be a piece of material, paper or lace. I always find it difficult to make that first cut. A tall order…. No! I will pop it all in a jiffy bag to you! LOL! Always great to hear from you Lynne. Thank you for calling in and for your lovely comments.
Regards Florence xx

Hi Florence, Shakin Stevens LOL what are you like, Hubby was watching some old music thing on the TV last night and Alvin Stardust was on it, do you remember him with his black gloves LOL! I always think those two could have been brothers! Fabulous makes, love your xmas decoration from a tapas plate (adore tapas yum!) and the broach is fantastic very original and would look really cool on a handbag too. I really feel for you in the baking sun (NOT) LOL xx

Hi Paula. Great to hear from you. Wasn’t Alvin Stardust married to Lisa Goddard. They were slightly odd at the time. They were neither one thing or the other were they?! The sun plays havoc when taking photos this time of year. Your sympathies are appreciated!!! LOL! Thank you for calling in and for your lovely comments.
Regards Florence xx

Fantastic projects Florence! Your button you made using a tapas plate…..brilliant! And cutting into that ruler…..oh so brave!! I don’t know that I could have done it! The end result with that brooch…..gorgeous! I just love what you do!

Hi Yvonne. Hope all is well. Great to hear from you. It was hard to cut it up. I hope I don’t regret it as a later date 😦 Thank you for calling in and for such a lovely comment. Have a great weekend.
Regards Florence xx

Well Florence, it might as well be snowing, cause the weather here in the UK is pretty pants just now. On the other hand, your christmas decoration is a joy, and being in my ‘hey days’ in the 80’s, I’m sure I had an oversized brooch just like yours! Gorgeous makes as always! xx

Hi Suze. Great to hear from you. Hope all is well. Can you remember those big coats? They did no favours to the figure but we all thought they were great at the time. I still have a few of the broaches from that era. Especially the one that went on the collars. Gosh, a real trip down memory lane hey! Thank you for calling in and for your lovely comments.
Regards Florence xx

Hi Chrissie. Thanks for calling back. I really do appreciate the wonderful messages everyone leaves. They are always so much fun to read. So pleased you enjoy reading them as well. Englebert Humperdink is such a fabulous name. Far nicer than GD hey! LOL! Always great to hear from you Chrissie.
Regards Florence xxx

Happy Christmas Yvonne. Hope all is well. I am so jealous. Summer time in the UK is such a glourious time of the year. Something I really miss. Thank you for calling in and for your lovely comments. Always great to hear from you.
Regards Florence xx

Hi Celi. Great to hear from you. Hope all is well on the farm. I hope you joined in with the singing! 🙂 Thank you for popping in and for your lovely comments. Starting the canvas this coming week.
Regards Florence xx

Love both of your projects Florence. The button tapas plate is brilliant. I think it’s great that you did a Christmas project when the urge struck even though it’s June! My kids like to sing Jingle Bells any time of year so what the heck I can add Shakin Stevens to the mix. LOL!

The broach is lovely and very creative. At least you didn’t pin it to a 1980’s Michael Jackson leather jacket! That would have had the shepherds running I think!

Hi Tracy. I have the giggles now!! Not that black and red jacket! Oh dear! lol! You will be regretting adding Shakin Sevens to the mix especially on long trips in the car! Can you imagine! 🙂 Little ones always make Christmas magical. Always great to hear from you. Thank you for calling in and for your lovely comments. Take Care.
Regards Florence xx

Hi there. Hope all is well. I need to practice the hearts. I am ok cutting one side but the other side goes slightly off shape 🙂 I love decorated hearts as well. For me, they always have a country feel to them. Thank you for calling in and for your lovely comments.
Regards Florence xx

Hi Lorraine. Hope you are ok. My goodness! I have seen your wonderful creations. The Hatters is all about having fun, sharing ideas and getting to know other bloggers. I really would love for you will join in and share your fabulous creations with us. You will be made more than welcome by the girls I can assure you. Absolutely no pressure. If a challenge grabs your eye, just go for it. If you need any help with the link give me a shout. Always great to hear from you. Thank you for calling in and for your lovely comments. Looking forward to seeing your project.
Regards Florence xx

Mr Gingerbread looks good enough to eat 🙂 and just adore your brooch so now I’m wondering if Keith has one lurking in the shed and if I can sneak bit off.. do you think he’ll notice lol
Fab work Florence 🙂
Von x♥x

Hi Von. Noooo! Keith wont notice! 🙂 A trick I have learnt is to take something I know isn’t going to be used. Stash it away in my craft room for a while and then say to Freddie ” You gave me this ages ago for crafting with. Are you sure you don’t want it”? 99% of the time I get a “No, you can have it”! lol! Always great to hear from you Von. Thank you for calling in and for your lovely comments. Have a wonderful weekend.
Regards Florence xx

Email received from Neet: Florence, you never cease to amaze me with what you think up for a challenge. Love this huge button you have made and what a beautiful display it will be for Christmas. The gingerbread man does look as if he is a biscuit and I love the little book with the music on.
As for the brooch – that is fabulous and well worth cutting that ruler up – a truly inspired piece of jewellery that looks fabulous on that jacket. See, even displaying the artwork is an art with you. Fabulous! Neethttp://www.hickydorums.blogspot.com

Thank you Neet for your e.mail. In the end I added your very kind comment like this. Something has now gone very strange with my reply commenting. Since adding this I have lost my blue box!! LOL! Oh the joys of blogging. Once again thank you. Always great to hear from you.
Regards Florence xx

Hi T, Just a reminder – Who was it that convinced everyone that homemade lemon ice cream was the traditional English pudding for Christmas!!!!! LOL! Always great to hear from you. Thank you for calling in and for your lovely comments.
Take care,
Florence xx

Hi Florence – Love Love Love the Christmas project not to grungy at all. Also am blown away by the broach I would wear that for sure. Buttons really got your creative juices flowing. Really jealous of your 31 degrees any chance you can post some of it on LOL. Hugs Sandra XXX

Hi Sandra. Great to hear from you. Fully rested I trust!! Lucky you. Great fun this week. Sending sunshine in a jiffy bag to you. Not sure when you will get it. You know what our post is like!! 🙂 Thank you for calling in and for your lovely comments.
Regards Florence xxx

Hi Florence,
only you could do christmas in June LOL,I love your tray plate it’s fab !!! your broach is brilliant.
as Sandra says send some of that heat you have over here fed up with rain we need sun please!!!!
Janet x

Hi Janet. Great to hear from you. I will pop you some sunshine in a jiffy bag as well! 🙂 My the postman is going to be busy 😉 Good fun this week. Thank you for calling in and for your lovely comments.
Regards Florence xxx

Elvis and the Beatles were my bag! Gone are the day’s when I had a houseful at Christmas and never thought at the time I would say this, but, I miss those days now and the lovely feeling when everyone left and wetn home, bliss! Loving all your wonderful makes, your really are so very talented.
. Merry Christmas to you and Freddie ( can’t believe I just said that! )xx

Merry Christmas Joy!! 🙂 Well, my lovely friend I am so pleased you called in today. You always make my day. I enjoy all the planning and prepping for visitors. I love Christmas time. Getting up at 5 a.m. and running around the house with coconut shells, bells on sticks and a few ho hos! What fun! If I have to get up to put the turkey in the oven so does everyone else! LOL! Our visitors have now stopped coming!! 🙂 Thank you for calling in and for your lovely comments.
Regards Florence xx

“I hope no one saw me. I bet someone did. There is always the odd shepherd about having a siesta under the olive trees.”

— Hit me right on the spot! Sounds so surreal, I love it. I really wish I can move out and live in the countryside, too, where there are shepherds having siestas under olive trees 🙂 This is a real beauty, you’re so talented. I’m glad you were able to take the shot 🙂

Hi Fati, Great to see you back in blog land. Hope Uni is going well. If I had know you were going to call in we could have sang the Golden Kangeroo!!! 🙂 Thank you for calling in and for such lovely comments.
Regards to you and yours.
Florence xx

Hi Florence, I just had a lovely time looking at your blog and l love the variety of different projects you make. I really like the inspiration photos too. Thanks for your comment on my new blog and I am sorry if you are getting overloaded with all my transferring of posts from my old blog.

Hi Kristy. Great to hear from you. I did wonder what was happening when my e.mail box was full!! lol! Loving your new blog. Fabulous!! Thank you for calling in and for your lovely comments.
Regards Florence xx

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Merhaba! As am admirer or your work, I have nominated you for the One Lovely Blog award – pop on over to my page http://crazytraintotinkytown.com for details. Appreciate these awards involve some work, so please take your time or if you have received them before, my apologies but it’s still nice to know someone appreciates your blog. May your day be filled with sunshine

Florence, Hello! You are wonderfully creative. I love the Christmas decoration. The hearts came out so well…the green heart is not in the least grungy. I like all the creative ideas you put into it.
The measuring stick pin is amazing. What a fantastic idea. Love it all. Oh I do so love buttons, and wish I had the time to enter this fun project.

Hi Marianne. Lovely to hear from you and great to meet you. There is a new challenge every Thursday morning if ever you fancy joining in. No pressure. It is all for fun. You would be made more than welcome by the girls. Thank you for calling in and for your very kind words. Looking forward to following your blog.
Regards Florence xx

Hi Florence! I’ve been enjoying your posts and seeing your wonderful creativity! I love the button you made out of the wooden plate! The entire design is perfect for a lovely Christmas filled with handmade goodies and decor! So beautiful and truly memorable! I love all the details with the gingerbread man, the rosemary, the little Christmas hymn, and the wooden hearts. The aged look is spot on with your paint and crackle method. I also was inspired by the broach you made out of the measuring stick! So unique! Love the photo of the dress form! Perfect shot! ~Vanessa